Lupus -New Hope for Lupus Disease

Books About Lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus Statiistics

Lupus is an acute and chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system is unbalanced, causing inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any organ in the body. Lupus can be unpredictable and potentially fatal, yet no satisfactory treatment or cure exists. Individuals with lupus have significantly higher rates of cardiovascular disease as well.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, life-threatening autoimmune disease. Approximately 5,000,000 people worldwide, including approximately 1.5 million in the United States, suffer from various forms of lupus, including SLE. Lupus can occur at any age, but appears mostly in young people ages 15 to 45.

About 90 percent of those diagnosed with lupus are women. African-American women are about three times more likely to develop lupus, and it is also more common in Hispanic, Asian and American Indian women.

Effects of lupus on the Body

Picture courtesy of goldbamboo

Items to Comfort

Lupus Disease Symptoms for Diagnosis

Lupus is a difficult disease to diagnosis as there is not a specific blood test. A good rheumatologist is a must if you think you might have lupus. One of the tests they will order is the ANA blood test as 97% lupus patients are positive in this test. They will look specifically for the following symptoms:

Common Symptoms Include:

Malar butterfly rash over the cheeks of the face (only affects about 15%)

The more symptom a person has from the above list, the greater likelihood they have lupus, usually 4-7 confirm a diagnosis

It has been fifty-one years since a new drug has been developed to treat lupus patients. Lupus symptoms have been treated with such things as Plaquenil, prednisone and other chemotherapy type medications. Finally we are seeing some new drugs ready to come on the market that are less harmful and actually treat the disease. This has been a long wait for patients who usually went a number of years without even a diagnosis.

WHAT IS LUPUS

Advances in Research

The mission of HGS is to apply great science and great medicine to bring innovative drugs to patients with unmet medical needs. The HGS clinical development pipeline includes novel drugs to treat lupus, hepatitis C, inhalation anthrax and cancer.

Many pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have been running dozens of clinical trials to evaluate new treatment and medications; so much progress has been achieved. GlaxoSmithKline and Human Genome Sciences, ViforPharma, and UCB and Immunomedics, Inc. all recently reported promising results for potential new treatments for lupus. The Lupus Foundation has announced that we are moving toward a new era in the treatment of lupus where it is a chronic but manageable disease.

The clinical trial designs have been difficult due to a number of factors, but specifically, it is a genetically complex disease, which means that multiple genes as well as non-genetic factors contribute to a person's risk for the disease. More than 20 genes have been identified that influence a person's risk for lupus.

Lupus Symbol

source Lupusfoundation

New Drugs for Lupus Erythemous

One of the new therapies that show great promise is adult stem cell transplantation. A pilot study indicates that certain patients have achieved a sustained remission without any drugs for up to five years. This is particularly important for those with severe disease and major organ involvement.

The Human Genome Sciences and GlaxoSmithKline have just complete phase III of a study for the new drug Benlysta. The beneficial effects have persisted for at least 76 weeks which dates back to the beginning of the study. The drug has been very well tolerated by patients. How the drug works is extremely complex and I won’t attempt to explain it. This final successful phase means the drug is almost ready for FDA approval which will make it the first lupus drug in 51 years.

The promising trial results announed by Vifor Pharma, Galencia Group, and Roche demonstrating that the drug CellCept® (mycophenolate mofetil) helps in maintaining remission of lupus nephritis. Patients treated for up to 3 years, patients in the trial taking Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil) went a significantly longer time without nephritis or serious renal damage or death. This is significant as approximately 1 in 3 people with lupus develop kidney disease, and even after successful treatment the complication can still relapse. This is not a new drug as it has been used on those who have had kidney transplants for many years. I took this drug for approximately 3 years and my kidney function improved and I have been in a normal range ever since. I will say this drug is great for the kidneys but it does not help with other symptoms of Lupus like arthritis, anemia, etc.

Lupus Research Institute

Personal Experience

The impact of lupus on an individual and the way a physician may best treat them has really been poorly understood as how to give that individual can have a better quality of life. Researchers are looking at depression, stress and body image, which all effect a person’s quality of life.

From a personal perspective, as I was diagnosed with lupus for 35 years ago, stress is a huge factor. When I am in a crisis or even just stressed I can function well and get through the situation, but about a week later I have so much joint pain that I am back on narcotics and unable to keep up with routine daily chores.

Lupus Research Institute

The Lupus Research Institute (LRI) National Coalition of state and local lupus organizations organizes meetings with presentations from scientist from around the world. They are a global leader in identifying bold and promising scientific hypotheses in lupus. They believe so much about this complex; difficult disease is not yet understood. They encourage researchers to think outside the box, to think creatively.

The LRI is alarmed at needed focus for children who have lupus. Children and adolescents with lupus are 2-3 times more likely than adults to develop kidney disease, central nervous system complications, and hematologic (blood) disease. Of course, with children they have the opportunity to become involved with the disease at a younger age and may have better outcomes.

Summary

Finally, the new medication Benlysta is now available. The results from the studies are excellent. It is given over a 2 hour period via an IV line. Several people have been able to cut back on other medications, such as prednisone. I read in the newspaper that the medication cost is $35,000 annually, and that many insurance companies won't pay that amount. That is something you would need to verify with your doctor and insurance carrier as I do not know if the newspaper was accurate. Regardless, it is the first new drug in 50 years that actually treats the disease of lupus and not just the symptoms.

There are several other drugs that are also being studied as scientist attempt to understand lupus. Stem cell therapy will probably become a major player in lupus as it is being studied with many diseases. There is hope for the future now that they finally have focused much more energy in research

Comments 37 comments

It is "good news" to learn that advances continue to be made and hope for future eradication remains a possibility. It is also news like this that should cause Christianity to rethink its love-hate relationship with science.

Great presentation Pam.

Blessings

Forever His,

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States Author

Rev Lady, You made several good points. Thank you so much for your comments. God Bless.

Mentalist acer 6 years ago from A Voice in your Mind!

I was not aware that stem cell research benefited Lupus good to Know as many uses and support that can give this vital research the better;)

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States Author

Mentalist, They have only done one successful study that I am aware of with approximately 45 people but it did help. There is hope. Thanks for your comments.

Ladybird33 6 years ago from Georgia USA

Pamela, this is a great hub and I am sending it to my dearest friend that just tested positive for Lupus. I think he will be grateful for the hub, he is reading and learning all that he can. He is young still and has two small children. Anyway, thorough and very informative hub. Thank you!

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States Author

Ladybird, I hope your friend has a good rheumatologist as they makes a lot of difference in treatment sometimes. Maybe he could get into one of the studies. Men seem to have more severe cases of lupus than women quite often. Thanks for your comment.

carolina muscle 6 years ago from Charlotte, North Carolina

That's a rough disease; with far reaching consequences for both the patient and his family.

Great post!!

JY3502 6 years ago from Florence, South Carolina

Very Good job Pamela. Only one thing, I think your 2nd paragraph should have been your lead in. Most important 5 w's first. I can see you put a lot of work in this.

habee 6 years ago from Georgia

I have a lupus hub, too. I have several family members SLE, and my doc thinks I might have it, too. Great info!

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States Author

Chris, Thanks so much for your comment.

JY, I read it again and I agree. Thanks for your comments.

Habee, I hope you don't have lupus. If you do you have it you probably have had it for a long time undiagnosed as 15-44 is the usual age to acquire lupus. I don't know how old you are but I know you are a grandmother. So many people go undiagnosed for years with the symptoms being written off as other diseases or depression. Thanks for your comment.

dawnM 6 years ago from THOUSAND OAKS

thank-you for the informative hub. There is some very helpful information in this article. I had no idea that lupis affected the body that way what a shocker!

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States Author

Dawn, I am glad you learned some new things about lupus and I appreciate your comments.

msorensson 6 years ago

A personal question, Pamela, I hope you won't mind, how long have you had it and is it painful? As it is an autoimmune disease, it will be very difficult to formulate a drug for it that will not also weaken your immune system.

My suggestion, if I may, is very simply to eat well, exercise some, and have a very positive attitude about it.

The latter is most difficult when one is in pain. However there are now new technologies that does alleviate the pain and I will be happy to send you to the site that markets it. A company in Singapore.

Amazing hub on Lupus! Great photos like these help so much in understanding how Lupus affects the body. Very glad I read your hub. I am so much more informed. Thank you for all your hard work. God Bless You Pamela.

Tom Whitworth 6 years ago from Moundsville, WV

Pamela,

My prayers are with you that this research wil come up with effective therapies and maybe some day even a cure for Lupus.

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States Author

Msorensson, I had early symptom of Lupus in my early 20's then had a few years of a remission. It is painful due to the arthritis as I have lupus and osteoarthritis. Your suggest is something I follow now and it makes a big difference as I am much healthier now than in the past. I will check out your website. Thank you for your concern and comments.

Vocalcoach, Thank you so much for your comments on my Lupus hub.

Tom, I appreciate the prayers more than you know. Thank you for your comments.

Hello, hello, 6 years ago from London, UK

I am very sorry to hear about your suffering. I personally belief very storngly in stem cells, no matter what disease, and wish they really would use it fully. This drug seemed a great breakthrough.

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States Author

Hello, I think the stem cells are going to eventually cure many diseases also. Thanks for your comment.

Support Med. 6 years ago from Michigan

I never knew that the meds prescribed for lupus were chemotherapy type drugs. I was prescribed plaquenil for lupus(SLE), years ago. I have been in remission for quite a few years now. I am now thinking that diseases involving the immune system may require chemotherapy type drugs (I guess it depends on the disease in question). This new drug would then, hopefully,would be of benefit for lupus patients (glad you had good results). Peace/good health. Voted-up/rated.

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States Author

Support Med, It is great that you are in remission. I was on Plaquenil for years also. Thanks for your comments.

prasetio30 6 years ago from malang-indonesia

I heard many times about Lupus. It looks deadly disease if we the patience don't get good medication. I also found several Lupus foundation in my country. They never bored to fight and socialize Lupus to society. Thanks pamela, I learn much from this hub. You give us a lot of information about Lupus. I wish this is a new hope for Lupus disease, like in the tittle of this hub. I support you!

Prasetio

Money Glitch 6 years ago from Texas

Wow, never knew there were so many people with Lupus. It's hard to believe that no new drugs have been developed in fifty-one years. Interesting how some diseases seem to be consistently getting new drugs while other diseases do not. I'm sure the cost of research and development has a lot to do with it. Thanks for sharing your insight on this auto-immune disease.

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States Author

Prasetio, I think lupus is probably in all countries and I am glad they are doing something in yours. I appreciate your comments as always.

Money Glitch, There was not much money put in lupus research for many years but finally that has changed. Thanks for your comment.

TINA V 6 years ago

I am sorry to hear about your personal struggle with lupus. I am glad that you were so strong to overcome it. I had a distant relative who died because of this sickness when I was still in college. I think she was only 50 years old at that time. I am glad that there are already developments and hope for this type of disease. This is an informative hub.

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States Author

Tina, Lupus is a bad disease and I am so happy they are finally coming out with some new medication that actually treats the disease. Thanks for your comment.

drpastorcarlotta 6 years ago from BREAKOUT MINISTRIES, INC. KC

I was diagnosed with lupus in 1998, but was caught in time before the disease ran ramped in me. I was sent to a specialist and have been doing very well. 30-40 years ago if you had Lupus you would die in 3 years! If caught in time, you can live a productive life, at least 85%. My mother always taught me to never play around with your health and because of her raising me this way, as soon as I felt something was wrong, I ran to the doctor! With faith and medication, I have been living a productive life. Praise God! And thank you for this Hub, your GREAT!!!

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States Author

drpastorcarlotta, I am glad you are doing well with the lupus. You mother sounds like a smart lady. I appreciate your comments.

nancy_30 6 years ago from Georgia

Thank you for sharing this really good news. I know several people who have Lupus.

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States Author

Nancy, I am glad you found this hub useful since you have friends with lupus. I appreciate your comments.

okmom23 6 years ago from Midwest, U.S.A.

Wonderful hub!Lupus is so difficult to explain to others, but you have done it so well! I also have lupus, as does my older daughter. My youngest was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I have a friend with lupus, and she has been in the clinical trials for the new drug. She has seen a big improvement in her symptoms. We have hope!

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States Author

okmom, Thank you so much for your comments and I'm glad your friend got into the trials. It sounds like the medication will be on the market soon as this is their 3rd round of testing.

thartmann 6 years ago from www.toryhartmann.com

Great article and very comprehensive. Thanks for taking the time to put it together!

Pamela99 6 years ago from United States Author

thartmenn, Thank you so much for your comment.

irene ngendo 5 years ago

U rilly encourage us who have lupus may the good Lord heal us all

Pamela99 5 years ago from United States Author

Irene, Thank you so much for your comment. I hope the good Lord does heal us all.

funmontrealgirl 5 years ago from Montreal

I am so profoundly grateful that you have written this hub. Being with a person who has Lupus (my mother), I have come to appreciate what you have written. Finally, something to be hopeful about. Advanced Research and New Drugs. Hope they lengthen lives of Lupus patients.

Pamela99 5 years ago from United States Author

funmontrealgirl, I very hopeful that Benlysta will make all the difference for lupus patients since finally there is a medication that actually treats the disease and not just the symptoms. For your mother is to her benefit to learn absolutely everything she can about the disease and I hope are health improves. I assume you don't have lupus but be aware that it does run in families so if you start to get any symptoms they would be worth a doctor visit.